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July 15, 2019

CCRC proceeding with ‘abundance of caution’

after 55 respiratory illnesses, including 2 deaths,
in 2 weeks
Lois A. Bowers
Fo l l o w @l o i s_b o w ers

A spokesman for a Spring�eld, VA, continuing care retirement community said the community is

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 acting “with an abundance of caution” to ensure resident welfare after two residents have died
and 53 additional residents have become ill with respiratory symptoms since June 30.

Greenspring, managed by Erickson Living, is temporarily not accepting move-ins, has canceled
group activities, is keeping ill residents in their units and has increased cleaning efforts, the
Fairfax County Health Department said. Of�cials praised the “excellent collaboration” the
department has had with personnel at the CCRC as it conducts an outbreak investigation.

“Respiratory outbreaks at facilities for vulnerable, older adult populations are not uncommon, as
we typically see �ve to 10 per year,” of�cials said in a statement. “This outbreak differs in that it
is occurring in July, whereas most outbreaks of this kind are in the winter / �u season.”

Twenty residents have been hospitalized, including the two who died, the department said. All
affected residents live or lived in assisted living or skilled nursing.

Greenspring “has acted with an abundance of caution, and in partnership with the Fairfax
County Department of Health has taken all necessary measures to fully implement proven
infection prevention and control strategies,” Dan Dunne, Erickson Living’s director of external
communications, said in a statement to McKnight’s Senior Living . “We remain vigilant in our
response and will continue to provide frequent and transparent updates to residents, staff and
family members.”

A speci�c cause for the illnesses, with symptoms ranging from upper respiratory symptoms
(cough) to pneumonia, has not been identi�ed. The Virginia Department of Health and Inova
Health System are conducting additional tests, according to the county health department.

The two residents who died were hospitalized with pneumonia.

“Both were older adults and had complex medical problems,” the Fairfax Department of Health
said. “The Health Department does not know the full medical history and the extent to which the
pneumonia contributed to the deaths.”

The department is asking all senior living and care communities in the area to “maintain a
heightened index of suspicion for an increase in the number of respiratory illnesses, including
pneumonia,” because of the outbreak at Greenspring and the fact that staff members may work
at more than one community. Proper infection control precautionsand handwashing and
respiratory etiquette also should be followed, the department said.

Update July 15:
The Fairfax County Health Department says that hospitalizations now total 23 and the number o
f people who are or have been ill is 60.

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 TOPICS: LOIS A. BOWERS

Lois A. Bowers
Fo l l o w @l o i s_b o w ers Emai l

Lois has spent almost her entire career covering healthcare, the business of healthcare and related topics via
journalism or public relations. She holds a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from Kent
State University (media management) and is the recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism
Award as well as other honors.

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